REVEALED: Maxwell Azzarello's unhinged posts about Taylor Swift before he set himself alight outside Trump's hush money trial in NYC

The man who set himself on fire outside Donald Trump's hush money trial in New York City was a Taylor Swift fan who regularly referenced the pop star in his online rants. 

Maxwell Azzarello, 37, doused himself in an alcohol substance before taking a lighter to his clothes near Manhattan criminal court on Friday.

He was seen kneeling with his hands behind his head engulfed in flames as the world's media and horrified onlookers watched.

The protestor was taken away in a gurney by NYPD officers and remains in the hospital in critical condition.

But weeks before he lit himself on fire, Azzarello, who describes himself as an investigative researcher, had posted about Swift on at least three different occasions on his Instagram stories. 

Maxwell Azzarello, 37, had been posting about Taylor Swift weeks before he set himself on fire outside Donald Trump 's ongoing trial in New York

He was seen kneeling with his hands behind his head engulfed in flames as the world's media and horrified onlookers watched. NYPD officers rushed to extinguish the flames. 

But weeks before he lit himself on fire, Azzarello, who describes himself as an investigative researcher, had posted about Taylor Swift on three different occasions on his Instagram stories

In one of his uploads from late February, the Florida-resident reposted an AI image of Swift dressed as Wonder Woman with the caption: 'Super Bowl LVII Forecast: 100% chance of broflakes melting down and whining across the nation.' 

Under the AI image, Azzarello wrote: 'Why are we all so divided? Because the people who stole the American Dream are shouting "You're divided! You're divided!" in all directions'.

During the same time, he shared another AI generated picture of Swift sitting in a blood-covered oyster with multiple arms with the caption: 'Taylor Swift demands a sacrifice'. 

Azzarello added his own thoughts to the caption and further wrote: 'An ironic doomsday cult is still a doomsday cult'. 

In one of his stories from late February, the Florida-resident reposted an AI image of Swift dressed as Wonder Woman

During the same time, he shared another AI generated picture of Swift sitting in a blood-covered oyster with multiple arms

But after a series of cryptic AI generated pictures, the conspiracy theorist posted a real picture of Swift flashing a peace sign from her commencement speech at New York University in 2022

An hour before he self immolated, Azarello posted a text in his Instagram story that just repeated the words 'I love you.'

 Moments before he set himself ablaze, Azzarello was seen throwing pamphlets in the air that included a link to the Substack account explaining his actions before he ignited himself

But after a series of cryptic AI generated pictures, the conspiracy theorist posted a real picture of Swift flashing a peace sign from her commencement speech at New York University in 2022. 

He praised the billionaire and wrote: 'Still her best picture'.

An hour before he self immolated, Azzarello posted a text in his Instagram story that repeated the words 'I love you.' 

Moments before he set himself ablaze, he was seen throwing pamphlets in the air that included a link to the Substack account explaining his actions before he ignited himself.

The blog was titled: 'I have set myself on fire outside the Trump Trial.' 

The conspiracy theorist claimed on the blog post that his 'extreme act of protest' was to draw light to what he called a 'totalitarian con.'

He wrote the government was 'about to hit us with an apocalyptic fascist world coup'. 

Azzarello added: 'To my friends and family, witnesses and first responders, I deeply apologize for inflicting this pain upon you. But I assure you it is a drop in the bucket compared to what our government intends to inflict.'

Trump is currently on trial in Manhattan for hush money payments made to to former adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election

A post published moments before the horrifying incident, reads: 'I have set myself on fire outside the Trump Trial.' 

The pamphlets found at the scene link to a Substack written by 'investigative researcher' Max Azzarello

He had travelled to New York City a week ago, saying on his Instagram he would be staying at Washington Square Park. 

Trump is currently on trial in Manhattan for hush money payments made to to former adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election. 

He has denied 34 charges of falsifying business records and says every legal experts thinks the allegations are a stretch.

Trump was outside of the courtroom, but still inside the court house when Azzarello lit himself on fire.

The full jury of seven men and five women had already been selected for his hush money trial and alternates were being sought today.

Members include an investment banker and a speech therapist who admits he 'doesn't like' his policies. 

The final two alternate jurors were seated Friday afternoon. According to reporters in the courtroom, Trump appeared to fall asleep again as the jury selection droned on.

Judge Juan M. Merchan, seemingly unaware of what was unfolding outside, told newly selected jurors that opening statements are set for Monday at 9.30am. 

At the White House, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about Azzarello during the daily briefing.

'It's very sad news,' Jean-Pierre replied, stating she learned about the 'developing situation' from live news coverage.

Authorities said they were also reviewing the security protocols outside the courthouse.

'We are very concerned. Of course we are going to review our security protocols,' Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said.

Earlier this evening, Trump confirmed that he would testify at some point in the trial to reporters outside the courtroom.